‘UP govt preserving heritage, promoting tourism innovatively’

Sharing his vision for expanding rural tourism during ‘Discover Uttar Pradesh Quiz Contest', organised by The Times of India at Avadh Shilpgram on National Tourism Day, state minister for tourism Jaiveer Singh tells Mohsin Usmani how important it is to enhance tourism infrastructure and create employment opportunities, especially in rural areas. Excerpts:Q. What is your message for people of Uttar Pradesh and the nation on this day?Under Yogiji's leadership, our govt has worked relentlessly since 2017 to unlock the state's potential. From religious tourism to ecotourism and cultural tourism, we developed 12 dedicated circuits to attract all types of visitors. Every effort was made to promote tourism in innovative ways while preserving our heritage.Q. How will the govt prioritise tourism promotion and awareness in UP?Recognising the spiritual essence of UP's villages, tourism hubs have been established in all 403 assembly constituencies through district cultural councils with substantial funding. Major religious sites are now connected via enhanced road networks, ensuring seamless access for pilgrims and tourists. Additionally, govt is employing diverse public outreach methods to raise awareness and promote tourism, highlighting cultural and religious significance of the state's villages and spiritual heritage.Q. Are there plans to extend the reach of big events to other regions of UP to promote tourism in a wider sense?UP is home to sacred sites like Ayodhya, Vrindavan, Mathura, and Kashi, and has seen significant infrastructure enhancements to boost connectivity and visitor facilities. These efforts elevated these locations into world-class pilgrimage destinations, reinforcing the state's cultural and spiritual identity. Plans are underway to extend outreach to other sacred sites in the state too, including Naimisharanya, Devipatan and Chitrakoot, further promoting spiritual heritage and enriching tourism across the state.Q. What economic benefits do events like Maha Kumbh bring?Events like Maha Kumbh boost the economy significantly. Critics might focus on costs, but return on investment is enormous. It is estimated that the Maha Kumbh will contribute Rs 2 lakh crore to UP's economic growth, benefiting not just the state but the entire nation.Q. How will Yuva Tourism Clubs inspire youth to promote tourism and heritage?Environmental awareness grew significantly after the pandemic. To address this, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy-2022 promotes rural tourism with incentives like 30-35% subsidies for homestays and rural destinations. Youth Clubs are being established in villages to foster community engagement, promote sustainable tourism and offer self-reliance training. These initiatives not only enhance rural tourism but also create employment opportunities for grassroots youth, supporting economic growth and cultural preservation.Q. How will UP's GI-tagged products like chikankari and Banarasi silk be promoted globally?While the ‘One District, One Product' initiative focuses on promoting unique crafts and products from each district, we are simultaneously connecting all 403 assembly constituencies and 75 districts with tourism development programmes. This will not only attract tourists globally but also promote products, art and culture of the places.Q. How will technology and digital platforms improve access to tourism and heritage education in UP?As social and digital platforms have maximum outreach, we are promoting lesser-known pilgrim sites, monuments, and other tourist spots. We are also making use of digital and social platforms to promote tourism policies, tourism sites, and other facilities.Q. What are your plans for boosting tourism in UP?Spiritual sites are integral to this vision, as they play a key role in preserving our heritage and promoting cultural tourism. Our vision is to make UP a global hub for tourism. From enhancing connectivity to developing infrastructure and promoting local crafts, we are taking a holistic approach. By blending traditional values with modern amenities, we aim to create opportunities for sustainable development, employment generation, and cultural preservation across the state.